Visiting Santa

We took Kate to our community clubhouse on Saturday to see Santa.  She didn't cry... but she definitely wasn't too sure about him either.  I tried talking to her and telling her it was ok.  I think she believed me, but she still wasn't going to smile- even when Daddy and I joined her  :)

  

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family in Indiana!  Kate did awesome on the long road trip and was a trooper while we were there, even though she got sick the last couple days . :(  But with plenty of arms there to cuddle and love on her, she did great.

Thursday was a very full day, with lots of people to see and lots of food to eat - the perfect kind of day.

Happy 1st Thanksgiving!

Eating with Aunt Sandy

Giggling with Aunt Vicki

Playing with Aunt Bonnie

Some of the girls (Annie, Kim, Kate & I)

So many great toys!

Playing with Josh 
(... it was on this trip that I realized how desperately Kate needed a haircut)

Thanksgiving day tradition... looking through the sale ads

Also a tradition... falling asleep in front of the TV (Kate didn't quite get this part)

Padrick and Sydney saying goodnight

Friday meant early morning shopping for us 4 sisters!  Which combines my 3 best friends, little sleep, lots of caffeine, tons of laughing, big crowds, great deals... equals the best fun ever.  A huge thank you to the awesome dads who stayed home with our kiddos!!  
(I have no pictures of our sister shopping time - which is probably for the best.  It gets a little crazy at times...)

Annie (Aunt Christi) cuddling a sick baby girl

More cuddles from Grandma

And cuddly eating with PaPa

On Saturday, we celebrated "Christmas" since most this side of the family wouldn't be together for it.  Here's our annual Christmas picture... look at alllll these kids :)  luv 'em to pieces 

And of course, it was time for gifts!  It was Kate's first experience unwrapping gifts... that coupled with not feeling good, meant she just kinda sat there  :)  but it was super fun for the rest of us

Sunday, we went to our home church... which is always so great to be able to see old friends.  Then it was a quick lunch at Five Guys before we got on the road again.  

Paul... who is always able to get Kate grinning

Cindi and I with our little ones - Josh & Kate (neither of whom are looking)  :)

Sooo much fun!  Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with those you love too!

7 Months Old

Lots of changes this past month!  Kate seems like a little person now, with such a personality.  We just love it  :) 

At 7 Months Old, Kate:

• is still talking up a storm!  And she's laughing more now - Daddy helps a lot in this area
• sits up on her own - topples over on her own, too
• is super ticklish
• puts EVERYTHING in her mouth (as evidenced by picture #2 below)
• eats stage 2 solid foods
• is wearing 6 month clothes and size 2 diapers
• still sleeping 10 hours at night, taking 2 naps during the day
• weighs 11.43 lbs and is 25 inches long

And here's a little hello from Johnny Appleseed....

Yummy Yams

So I gave homemade baby food a try.  Don't be impressed though...I'm definitely not the all-organic, strictly homemade food kind of mom.  I just happened to have some leftover sweet potatoes - and I hate throwing food out  :)

Making it took less than 5 mins (aside from the boiling time)

Going in... 

She loved it!

A Full Month

Where did November go?!  I realized all the sudden I hadn't posted pictures in weeks.  It was a busy, but fun month.  Here's what it looked like for Kate!

catching up on some light reading (no biggie that the book is upside down...)

making mommy laugh with clothes on my head

having my first chikfila drink

trying to escape from my swing

getting shipped off to soap.com

helping daddy measure 

getting loved on by mommy

And of course to wrap up the month... THANKSGIVING!!!!  Pics to come soon  :)